|
Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 17, 2011 23:17:07 GMT -5
Seventh week of spring, year two of Queen Sabrina's reign
Having arrived in the City recently, there was no way I could stay indoors. Picking the seedier side of the capitol to explore today, I brought little in the way of coin, and what I did have was tucked away securely, along with a knife. I soon found myself in the market, looking around at the people and the goods for sale.
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Jan 18, 2011 11:42:46 GMT -5
It was a quiet day in Eglantine, and I didn't feel like practicing until a little later, so I'd left the house and headed down into Mont Nuit with the same sort of confident but unremarkable swagger as always. The streets were only a little crowded but there were plenty of other people around my age or younger learning to pick pockets so I had my money-pouch tucked around my neck and carrying only enough coin to purchase a bit more of the treats I kept hidden away in my chambers- being who I was I could find connections to all sorts of interesting things quite easily.
It was still a little too early to find the people I needed skulking around- they were still probably asleep with their whores and their hangovers- so instead I climbed up to a rooftop and sat on the edge, letting my eyes wander over the crowds. The blend of people who congregated in Mont Nuit was far more diverse than that in other parts of the city and in its own way that was a blessing; if you wanted to hide, there was so much variety you'd be easily lost as your gaze was caught by something else.
A taller figure with features that were borderline Carthagenian caught my attention and I cocked my head as I watched him. Handsome, to be sure, and confident- and with the walk of the military. Smirking slightly I swung down from the roof and gave him a grin as he was walking by. It was too early to tell his tastes but a boy could dream, right?
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 18, 2011 11:55:26 GMT -5
A man grinned at me as I walked by, his hair red and his look impish. I nodded to him, wondering if his appearance boded trouble. Mischievous grins made me nervous.
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Jan 22, 2011 23:04:05 GMT -5
There was something cautious about this man, that much was certain, and I cocked my head slightly as I nodded back, then sat down on a nearby bench. Did I really look that sinister or something? Generally people thought I was cute. Even so he was cute enough that I'd take a chance and I stepped out and waved to him, my entire manner relaxed and pleasant. Let no one say I'm not forward when I want to be- unless it's about to get me into trouble. Then I should probably work on at least saying I was able to be subtle.
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 22, 2011 23:13:45 GMT -5
It seemed a nod wasn't enough, for he waved at me next. Or perhaps I was being too cynical, a second look revealed that his posture was relaxed and friendly. Come on Roland, cut him some slack, not everyone hates Carthaginians. "Good morning," I said politely. "Is there something I can help you with?"
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Jan 22, 2011 23:26:24 GMT -5
He was a little defensive, but not like most of the people in the City were when they met a stranger. I'd never been outside of the City so I couldn't place it, but I somehow felt that I was starting at a disadvantage, not that this was exactly new for me in some ways. "I didn't want to do anything but say hello," I told him in all honesty. Maybe ogle for a moment too...
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 22, 2011 23:39:53 GMT -5
"Oh, hello," I said, trying to hide my surprise. I clearly wasn't used to the people here in the City yet, if this man was any indication. "Are you from the area?"
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Jan 23, 2011 0:10:54 GMT -5
Something about what I said seemed to drop whatever wall it was that he'd put up around himself, and I was actually glad for it. Maybe the adept training, my natural charm and my good looks were good for something after all. "I was, born and raised right on the Doorstep," I replied, something I didn't usually admit to people unless they asked. Nobles tended to get suspicious and look down their nose at you after that. "I'm Bayard."
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 23, 2011 14:29:30 GMT -5
"Nice to meet you Bayard. I'm Roland," I replied. Now that I wasn't as suspicious, I began to notice exactly how nice that charming grin of his was.
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Jan 23, 2011 15:09:39 GMT -5
Well, Roland seemed to be relaxing a bit and didn't seem ready to scorn me for my low birth, and my smile widened slightly in reaction. "Nice to meet you as well," I said, offering my hand for him to shake. "Have you been in the City long?" From his nervousness earlier I could have guessed not but it was always good to ask just in case. After all he could have had some other reason.
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 24, 2011 1:23:45 GMT -5
I shook the offered hand, and then shook my head as well at his question. "No, I just arrived. Anything you think I should see?"
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Jan 25, 2011 17:21:50 GMT -5
"Well, there's a lot to do in the City, it just depends what you're looking for," I said in a conversational tone even as my grin widened slightly. One thing I knew was where the fun was, generally because I was performing at it, sneaking into it or starting it from time to time. "There's the Playhouse, various inns and taverns, an art gallery if you're into that sort of thing- and of course the Night Court." It wasn't until I said it that I realized how Eglantine an answer it was- but hells, I was an Eglantine.
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 25, 2011 23:24:50 GMT -5
"Oh, I'm certainly planning on visiting there," I said with a grin. "There's no way I would come here and miss it."
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Jan 26, 2011 20:32:10 GMT -5
A good sign that he wasn't a complete prude. That was a nice thing, especially considering how some men were. "I quite agree with you there- and let me then suggest Eglantine," I said with a charming smile that was just slightly playfully impish. "It's the most entertaining one, and I have a somewhat special attachment to it, considering it's my own House."
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 26, 2011 20:50:52 GMT -5
His proposal of Eglantine, and then his admission, made me chuckle. "Oh, I see," I said with a smile. "What is your art form?"
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Jan 27, 2011 22:30:44 GMT -5
"I'm a tumbler, acrobat and a bit of a contortionist," I admitted with a grin. As dumb as it probably was I was proud of the fact I did an art that took constant physical effort rather than painting or the like.
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 27, 2011 22:42:45 GMT -5
"Truly? That's quite the impressive resume," I said with a smile. I was beginning to warm up to Bayard, with his cocky grin and his self-assurance.
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Jan 28, 2011 20:30:34 GMT -5
"Really truly," I told him, my smile widening slightly as I gave a somewhat playful bow, then rose. "The most limber of all adepts. I'd offer a demonstration but I'd worry about bothering everyone else with my antics."
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 28, 2011 23:24:44 GMT -5
"That's too bad, I'd like to see you perform sometime," I said with a smile.
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Jan 30, 2011 10:27:47 GMT -5
"Well, if you really do I'm sure I can find the space for it," I told the taller man with an impish grin. There were always small clear spots and not everything took a huge amount of space, especially if you knew how to do tumbling, which was often nearly vertical tricks. "That's what we do, you know, wander and entertain. It's how we attract patrons, so it's something we get used to."
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Jan 30, 2011 15:24:13 GMT -5
He grinned at me as only the truly mischievous would, and it pulled a smile onto my own lips. "I take it that it's something you enjoy?"
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 1, 2011 18:18:27 GMT -5
"It's my art, and if there's one thing that's common among Eglantines it's the passion we show for our performances and creations," I told him with a wink. There was a space just at the entrance to an alley that was clear and it gave me an idea. "Would you like me to show you something?"
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Feb 1, 2011 22:41:44 GMT -5
I nodded enthusiastically. "I would love that," I told him. I had always wondered about the Eglantines, they always seemed like such a diverse House, from all my readings.
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 3, 2011 11:22:28 GMT -5
"Then right this way, good sir," I said with a rakish grin and a toss of my head as I walked over to the small spot I'd found earlier and waited for him to follow me. I may not have been the most subtle of all Eglantines, but I was a good showman and I knew how to impress a potential patron or audience.
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Feb 4, 2011 1:18:29 GMT -5
I followed and stood as out of the way as I could manage, easily falling into rest position as I prepared myself for his demonstration.
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 4, 2011 10:40:35 GMT -5
My smile widened as I watched Roland walk over, my balance evenly placed but subtle, as though I wasn't likely to do more than just stand there- but the surprise was part of the performance. Once he was obviously somewhat prepared my eyes flashed and I became my more Eglantine self, the things I meant to do adjusted in my mind to the space I had and I was instantly in motion. I sprang into a backflip, followed by a handspring, then a forward flip to balance on my hands for a moment before I arched and brought myself onto my feet. The entire routine took less than two minutes and I gave my audience another grin before I bowed. Maybe I was a born sewer rat but I loved to perform and I knew I'd done it well.
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Feb 10, 2011 18:09:12 GMT -5
I clapped as he bowed with the same flourish as he performed with. He had demonstrated exactly how lithe his body was, and it made me think naughty thoughts. "Very impressive, especially considering the space," I said with a little bit of a grin.
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 10, 2011 19:20:23 GMT -5
"Thank you, my lord- it's good to see I have such an appreciative audience," I replied with a grin of my own and a slightly impish but still-charming wink. "If there's anything else I can do to keep you amused please let me know. I'd hate to lose such a handsome admirer because I didn't have enough flair."
|
|
|
Post by Roland Zidane on Feb 11, 2011 23:31:58 GMT -5
"I'm sure there are many things you could do," I said, my grin widening at his flirtatious wink. "I'd love if you could impress me in a less... restricted environment. Truly let your flair sparkle."
|
|
|
Post by Bayard Roux nó Eglantine on Feb 12, 2011 9:13:55 GMT -5
"I have to say I like where your thought process is going," I replied, glad to see that he was warming up to me a bit and the way his smile brightened his features. With a smooth motion I stepped a little closer to him and let my own smile widen a bit with extra charm and open appreciation for his handsomeness. "And I can promise that Eglantine is much less restricted than anywhere else you could probably imagine."
|
|